Prefabricated plumbing installation



J. F. SANDERS ET AL PREFABRICATED PLUMBVING INSTALLATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 All..

sepnzs, 1953 Filed June 7, 1949 Hr O m\ .W IW .|I E 1|\&\ .n wll. d N Hw n \U XN Wl m I l 7W- WT I a M mw m \w uw MM *ASN l A w1 n .1 m Nul |H svi.. MM Nm. I 1 v my N\ EN E sept. 29, 1953 J. F. SANDERS ET AL PREFABRICATED PLUMBING INSTALLATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1949 l f f I l l l l l I I i l l l I SePt- 29, 1953 .1, F. SANDERS ET AL 2,653,357

PREFABRICATED PLUMBING INSTALLATION Filed June '7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .len 7.2-1.5

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Patented Sept. 29', 1953 2,653,357 PREFABRICATED PLUMBING INSTALLATION .lames F. Sanders and Joseph Sanders, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., assignors to Sanders Sanitary Company, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., a corporation of South Dakota Application June 7, 1949, Serial No. 97,564

Claims.

'The present invention relates to a preabricated plumbing installation and more particularly to a plumbing vinstallation in which the conduits and connecting pipes of the plumbing system are re-` tained entirely within a supporting framework capable of forming a wall structure'.

The prefabricated plumbing installation of the present invention comprises generally a supporting framework formed of wood or other suitable structural material, the framework having iiush side surfaces which may be covered with wall- 'board, plaster, tile, or other desirable finished wall surfaces to form the wall of a room in which the plumbing installation is to be installed. The conduits and connecting piping of the plumbing system are so carried by the supporting framework that they are entirely disposed within the completed wall upon its being covered in the manner hereinbefore described. The only portion of the plumbing system extending beyond 'the nished wall surface are the lavatory or sink outlets or faucets, the bath faucets and valves, the water closet ange and elbow,T and the bath drum trap. Since the water closet flange and elbow and the bath trap are normally disposed beneath the level of the floor of the room, only the lavatory and bath outlets project beyond the wall surface.

Thus it may be seen that the plumbing installa# tion of the present invention provides a w'all supporting structure and, if desired, the unit may be installed as a wall between two rooms, or against an existing wall to provide a plumbing installation for the room of which the wall is a part In one modification of the present invention,'the plumbing installation carries both bath-- room iixtures and kitchen fixtures projecting from opposite sides of the supporting structureso that the wall may be readily employed between a kitchen and a bath to provide plumbing for both rooms.

Side panels are provided upon the supporting structure to underlie the inished wall surface, thus providing an anchoring base for a lavatory, sink, and/or wall cabinet. Y

The utility of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the building trades, both in the provision of an integrated, prefabricated plumbing installation and also in the disposal of the plumbing system entirely within a 'finished wall structure.

It is, therefore, any important object of the present invention to provide an improved preabricated plumbing installation which may be Simply 'and economl'aflly manufactured as an in- 2 tegrated structure for incorporation into a finished wall of a building or the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide improved prefabricated plumbing installations including a framework capable of forming an interior wall structure for a nished building wall with the plumbing conduits 'and connecting piping being entirely disposed within the completed wall structure.

it is a further important object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated plumbing installation which may be disposed against an existing wall of a building or the like to provide complete plumbing connections for the room, the installation furnishing an interior wall 'structure for the room with only water outlets and inlets projecting beyond the finished wall structure.

Still another important object of the 'present invention is to provide an improved prefabricated plumbing installation which may be installed as a common wall between a bathroom and a kitchen, one wall surface of the installation carrying the plumbing connection for bathroom xtures and the opposite wall of the installation carrying connections for the xtures for a kitchen, with the plumbing conduits andconnecting piping for each type of iixture being disposed within the common wall.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a plumbing n installation of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, with parts shown in plan, taken along the plane II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View, with parts shown in plan, taken along the plane III- III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV-fIV of kFigure l;

Figure 5 is a plan view as seen from the plane V-V of Figure l; and

Figure 6 is an elevational View similar to Figure 1 showing `a modified form of plumbing fixture of the present invention.

As 'shown on the drawings:

In Figure l, reference numeral I0 refers generally to a prefabricated plumbing installation of the present invention including a generally rectangular supporting framework l I formed "of suitable structural material such as wood, steel, or the like.

The supporting framework I I includes an upper transverse member I 2 and a lower transverse member I3 maintained in spaced apart, parallel relation by inner and outer upright members I4. It will be observed from Figure 1 that members i2, I3, and I4 comprise one-half of the supporting framework I I, and that substantially identical transverse members I5 and I6, and upright members Il are provided to form the other half of the supporting framework I I.

The members I2 and I5 and the members I3 and I5 are joined by gussets I8 and I9, respectively, to form the completed framework I I. The gussets I 8 may be formed of suitable sheet material such as wood, steel, or the like, and are secured to their respective members |2-I5 and I3-I 6 by suitable means as by nails or screws 26. From Figure 4, it will be observed that the gussets I8 and I9 are recessed to lie flush with the outer side surfaces of the members I2-I5 and I3-I6 and that the vertically extending members I4 and I'I are recessed within their respective transverse members to provide a secure, ush fit.

A vertically extending waste and vent stack 2| is mounted between the two halves of the supporting framework I I. As shown in Figure 4, the transversely extending members I2 and I5 are arcuately recessed, as at I2a and I5a, respectively, for snugly fitting against the outer periphery of the stack 2| and the stack is of such size as to fit between the gussets I8 and I9, The stack 2 I carries a drain line 22 extending laterally outwardly from the stack between the transversely extending members I5 and I6. It will be noted that the upright support member II is bored as as 23 to receive drain line 22y thus aiding in supporting the stack 2| against relative vertical movement within the supporting frame I I.

The drain line 22 terminates in a Y-tting 24 with a drain line extension 25 extending in alignment with the drain line 24 through a second upright supporting member 26, identical with member Il, and bored as at 21 to receive the extension 25. The extension 25 terminates in an elbow 28 provided with a T-tting 29 carrying a vertically extending vent pipe 30 terminating in an additional T-iitting 3 I. One of the substantially horizontally extending legs of the T-tting 3| is secured to an elbow 32, while the other leg of the T-tting 3| is connected to a line 33 passing through aperture 21a of upright member 26 and terminating in still another T-iitting 34. The T-iitting 34 is connected to a line 35 passing through an aperture 23a in upright I1 and leading back to stack 2| at a point intermediate drain line 22 and the upper transverse support member I5. The T-iitting 34 carries a depending line 36 substantially parallel with line 30 and terminating in a lower elbow 31 carrying a T-tting 38 which in turn communicates with the Y-iitting 24 of the drain line 22.

The conduit ttings 22-38, inclusive, thus provide the drain line for a pair of plumbing nxtures, such as for a lavatory and a sink in a manner to to be hereinafter more fully described.

Water is supplied to the installation I0 through a pair of water conduits 40 and 4I preferably formed of deformable tubing, such as copper tubing. The lines 40 and 4I are connected to a suitable source of hot and cold running water, respectively. The het water line 40 terminates in a T- ntting 42 with a branch line 43 extending around the stack 2| (Figure 2) and through an aperture 44 in vertical support member I1 to lie between the drain line 22 and the lower transverse supporting member I6. Branch line 43 terminates in a second T-tting 45 from which a horizontally extending branch line 48 extends through an aperture 4l in vertical support member 26 upwardly to underlie an additional transverse supporting member 48 overlying the T-connection 29. As best shown in Figure 3, line 4B terminates in a faucet adapter 49 secured to the transverse member 48 by a strap 50.

The other side of T-tting 42 carries a transversely extending line 5I passing through an aperture 52 in the vertically extending member I4 and an aperture 53 in a vertically extending member 54 parallel to the member I4. The upturned terminal end of the line 5| is connected to a bath faucet and mixing valve assembly 55 (Figure 2) having faucet handle extensions 56 and 5l extending through a transverse supporting member 58 secured to the upright supporting member 54 and an identical upright member 59.

The cold water line 4I terminates in a T-tting 60 carrying a transversely extending cold water line 6| passing through registering apertures 62 and 63 in the vertically extending supporting member I4 and 54, respectively, and terminating in an upstanding portion connected to the mixing valve 55 in the same manner as the hot water f line 5| hereinbefore described.

The other side of the T-tting 55 is provided with a transversely extending line 54 also passing around stack I I (Figure 2) and through an aperture 65 in the vertical supporting member Il. The line 64 terminates in a T-tting 66 secured to the vertical support member Il by means of a strap 61. The T-itting 66 thus provides a cold water outlet for a toilet closet to be installed in the assembly as hereinafter described.

Line 68 from the T-tting 65 extends upwardly to terminate in a T-iitting 69 directly underlying a transverse supporting member I0 identical with the member 48 hereinbefore described. The T-tting 69 communicates with a pair of oppositely directed faucet adapters lI and 'I2 to supply a cold water outlet for a pair of xtures aixed to opposite walls of the installation I8, as hereinafter more fully described. In addition, the transversely extending support member 'Iii carries a depending line I4 connected to a hot water faucet adapter 'I5 and to the T-connection 45 of hot water line 43.

It will be seen in Figure l that a water closet elbow is carried by that portion of the stack extending downwardly beyond the transverse supporting members I3 and I6. This elbow is turned upwardly to lie closely adjacent to the framework II, the elbow 80 terminating in a water closet flange 8| adapted to receive a water closet thereon as is conventional in the art. The flange 8| lies in approximately the same plane as the lower extremity of the transversely extending members I3 and I6 so that it is at approximately the floor level of a room within which the installation I0 is employed.

The stack 2| terminates in a terminal Y-tting 82 connected through an elbow 83 to a vertically extending line 84 and through a second elbow 85 to a horizontally extending line 85 closely underlying the lower transverse support member I3. The line 86 is connected to a bathtub drum trap 37 through an elbow 88 (Figure 5) the trap being secured to the member I3 by means of a strap 89 with the trap 8'I extending below the member I3. The trap 8l communicates with an elbow 90 forming an outlet fora bathtub as hereinafter described.

shown in dotted outline in Figur-e 2, :a lavatory L is .adapted to be secured to the supporting frame to .receive water .from the faucet adapters 49 and 'Il and to drain through the T- iitting 29. To accommodate the lavatory L, a pair of transversely extending .structural sheets 9| and 92 of wood, metal, or the like, are provided to extend between the vertical .member Ill., the sheets 9| and 92 being .recessed as shown in Figure 2 to lie hush with the surface of the supporting framework Il. Similarly, a sink S may .be mounted on the other side of the framework `|.l from the lavatory L to .receive water from faucet ad-apters l2 and "l5 and to discharge through T- connection 38. A water closet W is secured to the .supporting framework by .suitable means, the water closet being secured between the central vertical supporting members Il Yand i4 and receiving water from the T-connect-ion 66. A toilet bowl B is mounted on the flange 8| and discharges through the elbow 60 into the stack 2|, while a bathtub T is positioned to overlie the outlet 9|) and to receive water from the mixing valve 55..

An additional pair of supporting sheets 93 and 94 are supported between the vertical supporting member I4 and an additional vertical supporting member 95 to provide-a base for a towel rack, a medicine chest, or other suitable bathroom appointment adjacent the tub T.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the prefabricated plumbing installations of the present invention may be suitably employed in a number of different ways. The entire unit I may be employed as a wall between adjacent rooms, :as between a bathroom and a kitchen. The :lavatory L, the water closet W, and the bathtub T may project inwardly into the bathroom while the sink S projects into the kitchen lying on the other side of the wall. Alternatively, the installation Ill may be mounted flush with Aan eX- isting wall with the wall being drilled to receive the necessary connections Yto the appropriate ttings within the adjacent room.

'In addition, the unit IB may be employed in connection with an additional plumbing installation. For example, ifthe unit I0 is employed upon the second floor of a house, the elbow 32 may suitably receive avent from the plumbing installation of the first floor of the house, each of the installations thus employing a single stack 2|. Alternatively, if the unit I0 is employed on the rst oor of a house with an additional bathroom on the second iioor of the house, the additional upper bathroom may drain through the drain lines 36 and 22 by the installation of an additional litting indicated in dotted outline at 95.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the framework is substantially identical with that hereinbefore described in connection with the modification of Figure l and identical reference numerals refer to additional portions of the framework. The stack 2l is installed in the framework in a manner identical with that hereinbefore described, the stack communicating with the single drain line |0| carrying a terminal elbow |02 for connection to a lavotory (not shown). The hot and cold water conduits 40 and 4| are identical with those hereinbefore described with the elbow 6B providing cold water for a toilet seated upon the closet flange 8|. However, in this instance, only one faucet adapter 49 is provided in the hot water line and only one faucet adapter 1| is provided for the cold `water line. The bath installation is identical with that hereinbefore described with the vmixing valve 55 being carried by the transversely A.extending supporting sheet 5B. AThe arrangement and vinstallation of the trap 8l is identical with that of the modification of AFigure '1.

It will be seen that the modification of `Figure 6 'is actually `a simplified version of the modification of Figure 'l with the elimination of the drain and water .supply lines for the sink S and also the elimination of the vent pipe structure .for the sink S and the laVatoryL.

The advantages residing in the construction of each of the modifications of .Figures l and 6 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. These advantages include first, the two-piece construction ofthe plumbing installation, i. e, the assembly of theV transversely extending members v|2-'l5 and |.3-l'6 about the stack .2| by the employment of the .gussets IS and I9. This twopiece construction permits the employment of relatively short transverse members and also provides .for the assembly of the installation about the stack "2| without the necessity of aperturing the transverse supporting vmem-bers to .receive the stack. In addition, the .gussets IB and I9 strengthen the assembly so that it .may properly serve as an adequate base for the wall structure later applied thereto.

Also, in the installation of the present invention, all connections within the installation are made prior to the adaption of the installation to the specific vbuilding structure into which it is to be incorporated. By thus previously making these connections, .it is possible to wipe and properly seal all of the malleable pipe connections, both to the stack and to the various drain and vent lines. In addition, the copper joints of both the hot and cold water lines maybe previously connected and crimped, Vobviatlng the 'necessity of 'making these connections at the building site.

The bath mixing valve `55 and the faucet adapters for the bath are installed within the installation Yprior to its assembly at the building site, thus making unnecessary this expensive installation as a separate operation. Each of the water supplying lines is provided with fa'u'cet` adaptersjwhich are lsecured to the supporting framework by means of metal straps an'd/ or wood or metal perforated plates, so that it is only necessary to connect the adapters to the faucet lines of the various fixtures. Even the bath drum trap 6l is installed within the installation so that only the connection to the bath drain need be made at the building site.

Further, the fixture backing is included with and is built into the unit prior to installation, thus further insuring the ready installation and connection of the various fixtures at the building site.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the improved prefabricated plumbing installation of the present invention and the advantages residing therein will be fully appreciated by such persons.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We Iclaim as our invention:

1. In a prefabricated plumbing installation, a composite planar wall assembly comprising a pair of supporting wall frameworks and an upright drain stack interposed between said frameworks, supply and drain lines secured Within said frameworks and detachably connecting :said

said supply and drain lines may be separated from said drain stack.

2. In a prefabricated plumbing installation, a composite planar wall assembly comprising a pair of wall frameworks and an upright drain stack interposed between said wall frameworks, said wall frameworks, having upper and lower portions abutting said stack on opposite sides thereof, supply and drain lines secured within said wall frameworks and making detachable `connection between said wall frameworks, and tie members joining the respective opposed upper and lower portions of said wall frameworks detachably to secure the same in rigid abutment with said drain stack, whereby said frameworks including said supply and drain lines may be separated from said stack.

3. In a prefabricated plumbing installation, a composite planar wall assembly comprising a pair of wall frameworks and an upright drain stack interposed between said wall frameworks, each of said wall frameworks including an upright member adjacent said drain stack and an upper and lower horizontally extending member in endwise abutment with said drain stack, tie members on either side of said drain stack joining said wall frameworks in rigid abutment with said drain stack, and fixture lines carried within said wall frameworks and jointed between said upright members.

4. In a prefabricated plumbing installation, a composite planar wall assembly comprising a basin framework, a bath framework, and an upright drain stack interposed between said frameworks, each of said frameworks including an upright member adjacent said drain stack and an upper and lower horizontally extending member in endwise abutment with said drain stack, gussets on opposite sides of said drain stack joining the respective upper and lower members to secure the same in opposed rigid abutment with said drain stack, a basin drain line carried by said basin framework and making detachable connection to said drain stack between said upright members, a bath drain line detachably supported by said bath framework and connected to said drain stack, and supply lines, including inlets carried by one of said frameworks and outlets carried by both of said frameworks in jointed connection between said upright members to permit separation of said frameworks from said drain stack.

5. In a prefabricated plumbing installation, a composite planar wall assembly comprising a basin wall framework, a bath wall framework, and an upright drain stack interposed between said wall frameworks and extending therebeneath, each of said wall frameworks including an upright member adjacent said drain stack and an upper and lower horizontal member spaced by said upright member, gussets on either side of said drain stack joining said horizontal members of each framework in opposed endwise abutment with said drain stack, a basin drain line rigidly carried within said basin framework and connecting with said drain stack between said upright members, a bath drain line dependently supported by the lower horizontal member of said bath wall framework and making connection with said drain stack between said frameworks, a water closet drain line carried by said drain"stack outwardly of said wall frameworks, supply lines associated with said drain lines carried securely by said wall frameworks and including branch lines extending through said upright members, and inlet lines extending through one of said lower horizontal members and connecting with said branch lines between said upright members.

' JAMES F. SANDERS.

JOSEPH W. SANDERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,034,215 Stencil Mar'. 17, 1936 2,076,650 Kettron Apr. 13, 1937 2,103,064 Clark l Dec. 2l, 1937 2,243,373 Crites May 27, 1941 2,266,035 I-Iedmark Dec. 16, 1941 2,281,402 Wilson et al Apr. 28, 1942 2,332,052 Brent Oct. 19, 1943 2,340,323 -Groeniger Feb. 1, 1944 2,419,319 Lankton Apr. 22, 1947 

